Defeated Elementary

Defeated Elementary, a close-knit K-5 school in Carthage, Tennessee, overseen by Smith County, works with 288 students, covering grades pre-K through 8. Compared to the state average of about 470 students per school, that is 39% smaller than typical.

Defeated Elementary is one of 9 schools operated by Smith County, a district that educates 3,056 students overall.

Demographically, Defeated Elementary lists that nearly all students (92%) are White. The remainder is composed of 4% multiracial, 2% Hispanic. That composition is broadly in line with Smith County as a whole.

In the broader community, the surrounding county (Smith County) logs that median household earnings sit near $66,293, roughly 19% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate sits near 9%. Across Smith County's 9 public schools (combined enrollment of about 3,056 students), Defeated Elementary is one campus in the mix.

Carthage Elementary is the nearest neighboring public school, about 5.9 miles from this campus. Within ten miles, there are 5 other public schools, a sparser pattern than typical urban areas.

The school occupies an outlying site.

Looking at the recent track record. Over the past 7-year window, the student count expanded 3%: 280 students in 2018 compared to 288 in 2025. The White share of enrollment shrank from 98% to 92% over that span.

On the community side, recent activity here tends to focus on school events, parent volunteer needs, and clubs. Members of the school community can share what they know.